Yesterday I traded-in my Clubman for a VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon. I was sorry to see my MINI go, but I needed something with more room.

I'll miss my Clubman, it gave me very good service,and a lot of smiles, for the two years I owned it. I had a couple of gremlins along the way (sunroof and windows), but nothing that would change my high opinion of the MINI experience.

Thanks to all at NAM for your advice, this has been a great forum for all things MINI.

My new wagon promises to deliver MINI-like mileage with the diesel engine, and it comes with a 6-speed stick, so there will still be the oportunity for a fun driving experience. (maybe not quite as much fun )

Still, I'll miss that foot-high speedo and quirky cockpit. I've had the VW for only two days, and I already know how to operate most of the controls, including the wipers and the radio! What fun is that?

Thanks again to all at NAM for helping to make my MINI experience one to remember!

Happy Motoring!

 

Hope the new vehicle will make you happier.

You know, you don't have to leave us just because you're MINI-less... Safe travels wherever the road takes you.

 

Take it easy, and who knows...maybe you'll be behind the wheel of a Countryman soon.

 

Godspeed miniclubman; hope your new VW wagon will give you some thrills

 

You will be sad. VAG sucks.

 

Sad to hear you are out of here. We've posted many together. I too miss the extra room my Clubman had but it was time to go back to a hardtop. I'm still a VW guy at heart but I've been turned off from purchasing anything VW lately due to quality issues. Also, I just don't get the community with VW I do with Mini/MINI. Good luck with your new ride and take care!

 

There's one in every crowd...

Thanks for your polite and well thought out post. I see you're new to NAM, so, for the sake of others, I hope your stay is not a long one

Go troll somewhere else!

 

Agreed just because you can dosn't mean you shuld voice your oppinion.

Good luck with the V-dub their disel is a pretty pepy motor from what I hear, and it gets great milage.

 

Hey sad to hear, I am also considering one of those for the space but might wait till the new year model comes up in july. Plus I still have two more years on my lease. Till then lots of TLC for my Club

 

Ignorance is bliss - sounds like you are very happy.

To the OP good luck and fun times with the new car.

 

Agreed.

Wishing you the best, miniclubman. I think you should keep your tag for the VW.

 

Good luck with the VW - it is a well designed and efficient ride. But I hear that it can be tough to warm up the cabin of the VW TDIs because the heater doesn't work well. Concerned about this?

 

The dealer asked if I wanted to transfer the plates!

I guess the word "CLUBMAN" is still a mystery to most folks, even when you're trading one in!

 

Seat heaters are standard on the Jetta TDI wagon. Yes, I did read that a diesel engine warms up more slowly, but I think that's because it's a more efficient engine design. I may be wrong though, as I'm no diesel expert.

 

Good luck with your new wheels

 

Sad to see you go. I remember we got our Clubmans around the same time in 08.
I need more space too with a 10 month old, but does the VW really offer that much more than the Clubman cargo/usable space wise?

 

No offense, but it's his opinion. Don't take things personally. Good luck with your new car.

 

I hung onto my 2003 Saturn Vue which was paid off over a year ago, for those few times when I need more room than my Clubman can give me. (Or want to haul our bikes, scuba gear or canoe around.) Have to eat up one of the two spaces in the two car garage though to keep it out of the way, forcing my hubby to park his Cooper outside behind it. Not sure how long I'll be able to get away with that. Heh.

 

Sad to see you go, but you're in good hands at VWVortex. Enjoy your new ride, and if you don't have one already, pick up a VAG-COM.

 

The cargo area is about twice the size, about 67 cubic feet. The cargo area behind the rear seats is about the same as the Clubman cargo area behind the front seats, about 35 cubic feet. Basically, it's a midsized station wagon.

 

Good luck with the VW, hope it gives you what you are looking for.

 

At least your diesel engine sounds like a diesel for a reason . Good luck!

 

Prediction: you'll love it. My girl has an '09 TDI sedan. You'll get better mileage than any current Cooper. She averages 38, gets low-to-mid 30's around town, and mid-40's on level freeway. Coming down from Flagstaff last summer, we got 51 - albeit coming down from about 6,000 feet to 1,200 feet over about 160 miles. Uphill up the same grade/distance, we got 40. In-freaking-credible. And with plenty of grunt, 236 lb/ft of torque out of that little monster under the hood.

Good luck to you! And definitely sign on at vwvortex - probably the best auto enthusiast site on the net, no matter the make or model.

 

Have fun in your new TDI. I had an '03 Golf TDI for a few years and I consider it one of my favorite cars I've ever owned. The engine has changed quite a bit from when I had mine. Had a Jeep Liberty CRD after that. Don't worry about the cold weather...it will start fine. Just get in it and drive off....driving is what warms up the car, not idling....so don't bother idling to heat it up.

If you're looking for a good forum to learn about TDI's and VWs in general, I highly suggest www.tdiclub.com . Lots of info about doing your own oil service, etc. Very knowledgeable people there and years and years worth of posts to read through.

Have fun with the new car! It's great filling up next to big rigs!

 

My sister has a MkVI Golf TDI and she is absolutely in love with her car. I've always liked the JSWs myself. Make sure you register at tdiclub.com if you haven't already, good folks over there. Best wishes!